Why It's Important to See a Doctor
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a form of irregular heartbeat. These extra beats usually aren't risky, and they may go away on their own.
Doctors will monitor your heartbeat, and check other vitals indicators. They may also order a Holter Monitor that captures the electrical impulses of your heart over a period of 24 to 48 hours. They may also order blood tests to check your thyroid hormones and electrolyte levels.
Diagnosis
PVCs occur when electrical impulses coming from the lower chambers of the heart ventricles misfire through a structure known as the SA node. This causes the heartbeat to be delayed, causing the feeling of skipped beats or fluttering in the chest. PVCs can be seen in one pattern or repeated patterns. Doublets are PVCs that occur in a series of. Ventricular tachycardia can be described as three or more consecutive PVCs.
Some people are not experiencing any symptoms, while others experience palpitations. It can be felt as an unsteady heartbeat or a skipping heartbeat. Other symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, or a feeling that you're unwell.
Many people who experience occasional PVCs don't require any treatment. If a person experiences frequent episodes, doctors may suggest a change in diet or lifestyle including a reduction in caffeine, alcohol and stress. They might prescribe medication such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers that can lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate.
Doctors will ask the patient about their medical history and perform an examination of the body to determine their general health. They may also employ an electrocardiogram (ECG) to get a snapshot of the heart's electrical activity or a Holter monitor that is worn for longer periods and monitors the heart's rhythms over time. Doctors may request blood tests in some instances to determine if there are electrolyte imbalances or toxic effects of drugs.
A pvc doctor might refer patients to an electrophysiologist or specialist in heart rhythm disorders for further evaluation. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis of PVCs and determine if they are benign or malignant.
PVCs are everywhere and are not usually harmful unless they are used frequently or for a long time. This could lead to a weakening of the heart muscle or a condition referred to as pvc-induced cardiomyopathy. This is more prevalent in older people or those suffering from heart disease. It can also occur in healthy people with a normal heart, although this is more likely for those who exercise regularly. It is not a major issue, but you should consult your physician if you notice symptoms such as fatigue or fainting occur.
Treatment
For many, occasional PVCs aren't likely to cause symptoms or require no treatment. However, for those who do feel your heart is lagging an beat or is racing, it's crucial to see a doctor as soon as you can.
A cardiologist will first interview you and conduct physical examinations, listening to your heart with an stethoscope to identify any irregular beats. You'll also get an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed, which will record the electrical impulses that occur in your heart and reveal any arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia has been discovered then an portable ECG or a 24-hour Holter monitor will be required to record the abnormal rhythm for longer periods of time. These devices will assist doctors determine whether you have PVCs and the reason behind them, such as an electrolyte imbalance, drug toxicities, or any other cause.
An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart, could be ordered to assess whether your heart is healthy and check for signs of structural problems which could cause PVCs. You may also be asked to take an exercise test to find out the response of your heart to exercise. Physical activity can increase the frequency of PVCs. You may also undergo blood tests to assess your magnesium, potassium and thyroid hormone levels to find out whether they are low, which can contribute to the development of PVCs.
After your doctor has confirmed that you have PVCs and has eliminated any serious diseases, the decision of whether or not to treat them will be contingent on the degree to which they're affecting your life and how frequently they occur. If they only occur occasionally and do not cause symptoms then your doctor is unlikely to prescribe any medication that can decrease their frequency or severity.
If you are experiencing frequent PVCs, which can cause heart palpitations, or other symptoms such as feeling light-headed or fainting, your physician might prescribe medications like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Changing your lifestyle to stay clear of triggers, such as caffeine, smoking and excessive stress, can also reduce the frequency of times you experience these irregular pulses.
The following is a list with preventions.
PVCs can cause no symptoms or heart palpitations that can feel like "skipped beats" or flutterings in the chest. Sometimes, these episodes cause a fullness or pressure in the chest. Other times, they can make a person feel faint. These episodes occur because the heart is not pumping as effectively as normal. Regular PVCs increase a person's risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy. a condition where the heart expands and becomes ineffective at pump blood.
PVCs are usually caused by changes in body chemistry. They can be caused by the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones, as well as drinking caffeine or alcohol. Stress or weight gain and a lack of exercise, can trigger these episodes.
Certain people find that a change in their diet helps reduce their PVCs. For instance, they can avoid foods that contain preservatives that can cause a disturbance in the heart rhythm, such as disodium guanylate (E621), disodium inosinate (E627) and diazole sodium (E282-283). You can also eat more vegetables and fruits to ensure they're getting enough magnesium and potassium.
Regular health checks are essential as are annual physicals. These can help diagnose any heart-related conditions which could be causing your PVCs. Also, you should adhere to an eat-healthy diet and avoid smoking, which can increase the frequency of your episodes.
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Symptoms
If you feel that your heart is skipping beats or fluttering, it may be premature ventricular contractions. These arrhythmias can be harmless, or they could indicate you have serious heart problems.
In healthy people, occasional PVCs aren't a problem and they generally disappear by themselves. But if you have a lot of them, they can lead to dizziness or weakness. Speak to your doctor if worried. You might need to provide your medical history and they might also perform an examination of the body to identify the issue. They may also want to conduct an electrocardiogram or other tests.
An ECG is a test that's quick that allows your health care provider observe the signal generated by your heartbeat moving through your heart over the course of a brief time. The test will reveal whether you have PVCs. Your doctor might also suggest a Holter monitor that tracks your heartbeat over a longer amount of time. This can help distinguish PVCs from other arrhythmias that cause heart palpitations. You may also wear a portable device that records your heart's rhythm over 30 days, called an event monitor.
Other tests for your heart might be needed, depending on the cause of your PVCs. For example an cardiologist may test your blood pressure, and also perform an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). These tests can determine whether you have an issue such as heart failure or mitral valve prolapse or cardiomyopathy.
Your doctor may also have to conduct a blood test to determine the issue with your electrolytes. For instance, a low level of potassium levels or high levels of calcium. This can be an indication of PVCs or other conditions that may cause them, including anxiety disorders and anemia.
You might be referred to an electrophysiologist, a specialist who specializes in treating heart rhythms that are abnormal. If you suffer from heart disease that is structural the doctor may need to perform additional tests, like an MRI or CT scan of your chest. These tests will tell you if you have damage to your heart, and how serious it is. In some cases, the specialist might suggest an implantable pacemaker or ICD to treat the condition that is creating your PVCs.